By Betsy Weber, via Creative Commons

Everyone likes a good success story, and we at the Regional Business Council are no exception. We had an impressive 2012, but our successes really belong to the community of outstanding companies, organizations, educational institutions and resources that are found throughout the St. Louis area. Because of your leadership and investment, our bi-state region continues to be noticed as a great place to thrive.

The RBC’s mission is “to unite and engage members to act on high-impact business, civic and philanthropic initiatives for the betterment of the St. Louis region.” We’re excited to say that 2012 was a banner year for doing just that. Here are just a few of the projects the RBC and our Young Professionals Network were proud contribute to:

• We worked with specific universities to increase the retention of high-performing students in the St. Louis marketplace.
• We supported the development of programming and expertise that will strengthen the region’s minority businesses through partnerships with and investments in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis.
• We invested in the growth of Teach for America to increase the number of TFA corps members to 190 teachers who are reaching 13,500 students in the metro region and 350 TFA alumni in St. Louis advocating for reform and working for quality educational opportunities for St. Louis students.

You can learn about these initiatives and many, many more in the RBC’s “2011 & 2012 Outcomes Report” (Download a copy on the RBC website: stlrbc.org/documents/BLOG/OutcomesReport2012.pdf).

We can’t rest on our accomplishments, though — the RBC already is participating in projects to further enhance St. Louis’ reputation and livability. Ready to help? Email us at ypn@stlrbc.org. Together, we’ll find an initiative that will make your pride grow as tall as the Arch.

Kathy